KENSINGTON, Md. — Elder Gerardo Causé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragan jointly pressed a button to turn on more than 500,000 Christmas lights on the grounds of the Washington, D.C. Temple.
The 48th Festival of Lights began on Tuesday evening, December 2nd, with Elder Kors welcoming representatives from approximately 50 countries.
“The church unites people of different languages and cultures,” he said during the event.
Elder Korth’s main message focused on the light and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Lights are one of the great symbols of Christmas,” he said. “Light reflects the joy we find in Jesus Christ.”
Turning to the scriptures, Elder Caussé shared with the audience, most of whom were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that members of the Church believe there is a strong connection between light and godliness.
He read Doctrine and Covenants 50:24, where the Lord taught that “that which proceeds from God is light.”
Elder Coase said he knows the Church of Jesus Christ is not alone in this view.
“Light is a cherished symbol across many faiths,” he said.
While reading the words of the Savior in the New Testament, Elder Caussé quoted Matthew 5:14, where Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” Elder Kose encouraged those in attendance to take this as an invitation to share the light that has been given to them and recognize the good they see in others.
Elder Coase told the story of Jacques Lusseland, a leader of the French resistance against the Nazis. Ruseylan lost his eyesight at an early age. At the age of 17, his comrades chose him to lead a resistance group.
Rouseylan was eventually betrayed, arrested, and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp as part of 2,000 French prisoners of war just before his 19th birthday.
While confined in a small, windowless cell, Ruseylan found joy and tried to share it with other captives.
“I felt a glow,” he later said.
Although he could not physically see the light, he could feel the light in everything around him and chose to share that joy and give hope to others based on what he felt.
Elder Coase said identifying the light and choosing to share it helps build the individual and those around them.
“Thank you for seeing the light in others,” he said.
“Tekia” and community initiatives
It turns out Moctezuma’s message has its roots in Nahuatl, a language spoken natively by the Aztecs more than 500 years ago.
The ambassador taught about the word “tekia” or “tekio,” which refers to a type of obligation shared among members of a community.
“The essence of tekia is a deep commitment to generosity without expecting anything in return,” he says.
Moctezuma noted that Mexico has the second-highest number of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the United States, and said he has observed the ministry of members at home and abroad.
“The church embodies the principle of selfless service,” he said.
Quoting the words of the late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, Moctezuma said, “May the true meaning of the gospel permeate our hearts so that we may understand that our lives, given to us by God our Father, should be used in the service of others.”
Quoting President Hinckley again, he said, “A small act of kindness can bring great blessings to those who are suffering and tender feelings to those who make friends with them.”
Speaking specifically about Christmas, Moctezuma talked about Las Posadas, a Mexican tradition.
“December 16th marks the beginning of Christmas in Mexico. We reenact the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary.”
What’s important, he said, is that Christmas traditions reflect hope and community values.
“These are moments of shared purpose,” he said. “May we all have a heart of service, a spirit of “Tekia.”
christmas season music
The Christmas music for the event was a combination of songs sung by Darin Bales, the Washington DC Temple Choir, and event participants.
Bales sang “What Child Is This?” and a medley of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
The choir sang “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Children attending the event joined the choir and assembly to sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells.”
After a countdown and a button-pressing ceremony that illuminated the temple grounds, the choir and congregation sang “Joy to the World” to conclude the evening’s program.
